Tolerate: to allow;exist or occur without interference.
Intolerance: unable or indisposed to tolerate; unwillingness to recognise and respect

I have always considered myself quite a nice person. I like food of all shapes, flavours and colours. From every country and continent. I don’t discriminate, I am an equal opportunity eater. It’s only the doctors who say I’m intolerant. And certain foods who refuse to tolerate me. They certainly refuse to recognise and respect my right to eat them without major physical discomfort and distress.

Gluten and lactose are not my friends.

Despite the negative attitudes surrounding me from many of those I love best, (cakes, ice cream, hot toast) I decided to become a chef. Not always easy when you live in a bread and milk filled world. I like to think that this has helped me become a better person as I embrace my differences and refuse to let the gluten get me down. I believe InTolerance. I am the InTolerant Chef.

Food should not be about what you can’t eat, but what you can and what you enjoy eating. This blog is about my journey of cooking and eating and discovery. It’s not a definitive guide to allergy awareness nor do my intolerances make me an expert. Your body is your responsibility, not mine. I only know what works for me.

I can tell you this..... No glutens were harmed in the making of this website.

August 24, 2012

Truffle Treats

This isn't a recipe really

it's me bragging about my lunch last Friday

Today is just another Winters day in Canberra, except it's snowing!

Not a terribly common occurrence here. Sure we get dustings of snow on the mountains, but not usually here in the suburbs.
And today's snow is not sleet, not gritty little almost tiny hail like stuff, but big fluttery fat flakes. It almost looks 'real'!

Snowy days are such a treat that I decided I would celebrate with a Wintry treat of my own. I've had my little stash of truffle goodies hiding away for a while now and what a great reason to go-for-broke in the Winter Indulgence stakes.

I wish you could smell this!

A while ago I made a Truffle compound butter

I used a good quality butter and folded through some finely chopped gorgeous fresh truffle that I got at the local farmers market. I softened the butter, mixed through the truffle, formed it into a log, wrapped it very firmly in wax paper then plastic wrap then froze it. How handy in case of truffle cravings! This is lovely smeared under the skin of a chicken before baking,dotted on a perfectly poached egg, spread on some toasted bread, or with a dollop melting over a lovely medium rare steak- yummo

I also had some yummy truffle oil, and some Truffle Salami that I found at Aldi of all places!

Now to build the ultimate Winter Sandwich!

I started with a Scharr brand focaccia

Spread with some fabulous truffle butter

Generous amounts of truffled salami

Topped with a delicious French style goat cheese

Popped into a warm oven for about a minute- just until the fridge chill is off the ingredients

Freshen it all up with some nice peppery rocket and earthy beet leaves, drizzled with decadent truffle oil and a touch of white balsamic to cut through the extra richness of it all

Nearly ready!

Top with the rest of the roll, serve with a side salad drizzled with more truffle oil and white balsamic

AND DIG RIGHT IN!

I curled up on the couch with a furry rug, a purring kitty, a good book, and watched the snowflakes fly. All I needed was an open fire and it would have been perfect indeed

Now for the extra extra special bit:

Would you like to see the perfect end to my pretty perfect lunch.....

that's right... A Gold Dusted Truffle Macaron!

Jealous much?

So Dear Readers, do you think that was a lunch worth bragging about, and do you enjoy truffles?

I can't believe you've had snow! It's been so lovely in Sydney. On Thursday it was 28C. The contrast between the weather in Sydney and Canberra is amazing given we're not all that far away from each other. I love truffles and I loved the truffle butter you gave me and I enjoyed it on a steak - delicious. Your lunchtime sandwich looks fabulous and it would have been very special to have enjoyed this while watching the snowflakes xx

I get so jealous of your warmer weather sometimes Charlie! I'm glad you enjoyed the butter, it was so lovely to catch up with you all :)I felt like putting on my Dean Martin Christmas Carols while sipping a cup of hot chocolate!

I've had truffle before - in restaurant - and it was unbelievably good. Will have to keep an eye out next time I'm in Aldi for the truffle salami - what a great find. Imagine how good that would be on a pizza:)

We're so lucky to have local growers around here Sherilyn, but I can hardly wait to produce my own little truffle from my truffle tree! I have an oak that has been inoculated with the right thingies to produce truffles. It just takes 3 years...sigh... but only one more to go :)

I am utterly and completely and probably totally in love with truffles now. Mr Chocolate doesn't understand it but I am definitely keen on trying more truffle goodies.As for that macaron, oh my goodness!!

About Me

The InTolerant Chef is the nom-de-plume of The InTolerant Chef.She lives in Canberra,Australia,with her husband Big J, and 2 daughters, Little j and Middle C. Gluten and Lactose are not her friends. She also has many chemicals who refuse to tolerate her, and insulin finds her hard to resist. Despite all this, the InTolerant Chef is a healthy,happy person who loves cooking for her family and friends.